“Justice for Bernice”: Two Arrested in Drive-By That Killed Franklin County Grandmother
YOUNGSVILLE, NC – A grandmother is dead, two young men are behind bars, and an entire North Carolina community is left reeling after a senseless act of gun violence shattered the peace in Franklin County. On April 1, 2025, bullets tore through a home on Bert Winston Road during a late-night drive-by shooting, striking and killing 70-year-old Bernice Pender. After a 10-day manhunt and multi-agency investigation, law enforcement says they’ve captured the men responsible.
Jaquan Lynch, 23, of Durham, and Donavan Boyd, 22, of Warrenton, were arrested without incident on April 11 and now face charges of first-degree murder, discharging a weapon into occupied property, and felony conspiracy.
“This morning, I joined our brothers and sisters in law enforcement in ending the days of freedom for these two hellacious animals,” said Franklin County Sheriff Kevin White, who personally announced the arrests. “The actions of our team will never replace the beautiful life of Ms. Bernice Pender, but it will make our North Carolina streets just a little bit safer.”
What Happened
On the evening of April 1, deputies responded to reports of gunfire at Pender’s residence. Shell casings littered the road, and multiple bullet holes were found in the exterior walls. Inside, they found Bernice Pender—beloved mother, grandmother, and community member—fatally wounded.
Authorities have not released a motive or confirmed whether the suspects had any direct connection to Pender. What they have confirmed is chilling: the house was targeted, and the gunfire came from a passing vehicle in what appears to be a planned and intentional act of violence.
The Arrests
After days of intensive investigation involving the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Wake Forest Police, Burlington Police, and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, authorities moved in on April 11.
Photos from the scene show heavily armed SBI agents and tactical vehicles converging on a residence. One suspect was captured outside a motel. Another was taken into custody during a pre-dawn raid. During the arrests, agents also seized a cache of weapons, including multiple rifles, handguns, and a Pulsefire flamethrower, a device capable of launching flames up to 25 feet.
Remembering Bernice Pender
A funeral service for Bernice Pender was held just one day after the arrests. Family, friends, and church members gathered at Kinches Chapel Christian Church to say goodbye.
“We are devastated by her untimely and senseless loss,” wrote granddaughter Jasmine Pender on a GoFundMe page launched to help with funeral expenses. “As a family, we were not prepared for such a tragedy.”
Ms. Pender’s legacy of warmth and kindness was evident in every memory shared. She was known for her sweet spirit, her faith, and the love this mother and grandmother poured into her family.
“Let This Be a Lesson”
Sheriff White’s impassioned public statement reflected both grief and resolve: “If you hurt one of my people, I don’t care how far you run—I will personally go to the ends of the Earth to hunt you down.”
He added that “drugs, thugs, and gang-related violence should never be tolerated on the streets of our beautiful communities.”
What’s Next
Lynch and Boyd are currently being held without bond and are scheduled to appear in Franklin County Court on May 1. The investigation remains active, with authorities continuing to piece together the events leading up to the deadly shooting.
As the justice system takes its course, one thing is clear: Bernice Pender will not be forgotten. Her name is now part of a growing outcry for safer streets, stronger communities, and an end to the gun violence that continues to claim innocent lives.